Going the Distance Review: Laughs From Coast to Coast

In real life, long distance relationships are not always easy and not the slightest bit funny for those working to keep the spark alive. But in a movie? The long distance relationship gives the movie makers an opportunity for comedy and a lot of emotion to focus on. Going the Distance takes us on a coast-to-coast trip with likeable characters and plenty of laughs along the way.

Meet Garrett (Justin Long), a low level executive at Diesel Records based in NYC, who is stuck with the task of landing the next hit boy band rather than talented bands he is interested in. We learn that Garrett has commitment issues and witness his current relationship go down the drain with Amy (Leighton Meester). Meet Erin (Drew Barrymore), a thirty-one year old intern at the New York Senitel newspaper, who dreams of being a reporter. Her life is finally back on track after she took a detour and dropped out of college to be with a guy she thought was “the one.” She has six weeks left in NYC before returning to live with her sister in California and Stanford graduate school.

Garrett and Erin’s meet-cute—at a local bar, where they are both drowning their sorrows, when Garrett interrupts Erin’s Centipede arcade game. They bond over bar trivia and end up spending the night together. At breakfast the next morning, they exchange numbers and agree to keep their relationship light.

What is supposed to stay a carefree fling turns into something more as Erin’s time winds down in the Big Apple. When Erin heads back to California, she and Garrett begin an exclusive bi-coastal long distance relationship. Things go smoothly at first but as they spend more time apart than together, they are faced with many challenges with their long distance relationships—jealousy, loneliness, communicating with time zone differences, expensive airfare etc. The idea of one of them moving is tossed around but the bad economic climate makes finding a new job, on the opposite coast, quite impossible. We witness Erin and Garrett grow frustrated with the relationship and the fact that the person they love is 3,000 miles away. Can they make their relationship work? You’ll have to watch the film to see if Erin and Garret have what it takes to go the distance.

The supporting cast is especially important to the film since Erin and Garrett spend much of their time with them in their respective cities. The rest of the cast includes Erin’s neat freak and protective older sister, Corinne (Christina Applegate), who doesn’t approve of Garrett and laid-back brother-in-law Phil (Jim Gaffigan). But the two who easily stole some of the spotlight were Garret’s two hysterical friends—Box (Jason Sudeikis) and Dan (Charlie Day). Box, (yes that is really his name), with a “time machine” mustache to attract older women, was not always thrilled that Garrett was constantly on the phone with Erin as evidenced in an amusing driving range scene. Garret’s roommate Dan, not the brightest bulb but means well, deejays Garrett’s first night with Erin and has an “open door policy” when using the bathroom.

The lead actors, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, have a strong chemistry and played well off of each other. They seem very comfortable in their roles and easily brought their characters to life—Erin, the strong-willed, at times goofy woman, who always spoke her mind, and Garrett, the caring and sensitive Top Gun fanatic with boyish looks.

Going the Distance is a breezy film filled with plenty of laughs, due to many punchy one-liners. It is a comedy that should appeal to both sexes. Plus, the film effectively uses split screens and technology like texting and Skype to show Erin and Garret communicating. It is worth mentioning that much of the humor is raunchy and a bit crass. Plus, there is a ton of cursing which may turn some viewers off.

Director Nanette Burstein, explained, “coming from documentaries, where I capture real life, I wanted to direct a movie that would feel as real as possible.” The realness of the film is one aspect that was very appealing to me. Perhaps it is simply because of Barrymore and Long’s on again off again relationship in real life but the emotions and affection seemed genuine. One of my favorite parts of the film is the montage of dates that Erin and Garrett go on during her last six weeks in New York—I felt as if I was witnessing real dates.

Going the Distance may not win any Academy Awards…but did it make me laugh? Yes. Was I invested in the characters? Yes. So, if you’re looking for a laugh, take a journey with Erin and Garrett in Going the Distance.

Photo by Jessica Miglio – © MMX New Line Productions